podcasts inequity

For this blog I chose the technology of podcasts. Here is the article that I found: The article in someways argues that technology has enabled podcasts, podcasts that are actually breaking down barriers and making connections. While it acknowledges that podcasts may seem unreachable to some and dividing; the article argues that on a larger scale these barriers do not apply because podcasts can be used on other audio devices. What they fail to acknowledge is the fact that becoming an owner of these audio device is a barrier in itself. Another claim the article makes is that podcasts are bridging the gap in the very action of recreating it own new medium. Podcasts combine audio, web and portable media devices. While this may help to bridge the gap between countries and ipod users alike, podcasts are widening the gap between the haves and the have nots. To create and share in podcasts on needs access to computers and the internet and an audio recording device; technology that not everyone has access to. The article also discusses all the different uses for podcasts and how it expands self-help, corporation needs, individual interests and compilation of music. While it does broaden these fields it is important to note that it is these field that it is broadening and those not previously exposed to these fields are seeing no marginal benefit with this increase in technology.